Complex Sentences word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Complex Sentences word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this complex sentences puzzle set for my 4th graders during our writing unit. The kids could write simple and compound sentences but got lost when I introduced dependent clauses and subordinating conjunctions. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like complex sentence, independent clause, dependent clause, subordinate conjunction, because, although, since, if, when, while, unless, until, after, before, and even though. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the complex sentence structure finally click.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether a dependent clause can stand alone as a sentence. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple train car linking drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write a complex sentence using "although" on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.